Reenforcing unit for concrete beams



E. E. RIPPSTEIN,

Filed May 2'7, 1929 ,REENFORCING UNIT FOR CONCRETE BEAMS July 1, 1930.

Patented July '1, 1930 ,FFHQE PAT .EDWIN E. RIPZPSTEIN, orsr. Louis, IssounI, nssmnor. To LACL'EDE STEEL con- IPANY, or sr. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A GOEPQRATEON or MISSOURI 'nnn'ivronomo UNIT FOR concnnrn BEAMS Application filed May 27,

This invention relates to reenforcing units of the type'comprising a plurality of stirrups or similar elements adapted for arrangement in concrete beams orlike struc- 5 tures, and an important object of the invention is to produce reenforcing units of the type referred'to which are provided with improved means for anchoring the stirrups of the reenforcingunits in. place in the upper portion of the concrete structures.

Another object of the invention is to pro- .vide a reenforcing unit of the type referred to above with an improved arrangement for maintaining the spacing of the stirrups forming parts of" said reenforcing unit.

Another object of the invention isto provide a reenforcing unit of the type to which this invention relates with means constituting a part thereof for supporting reenforcing bars arranged near the top surface of the concrete and extended in a direction transverse with respect to the reenforcing unit. Still another important object of the invention is to so construct a reenforcing unit of the type to which the invention pertains that the same elements serve the triple function in unit structure of providing (a) the improved anchoring means referredto, (b) the improved spacing means referred to, and

(0) the supports mentioned above for sup-.

porting the transverselyarranged reenforcing bars.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary PQI'SPGCUVQVIQW 5 of my improved reenforcing unit.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-section of my improved reenforcing unit showing same as it will appear when in place in. a form. V

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

In the drawing, wherein is shown for the purpose of illustration, merely, one embodiment of the invention, A designates my improved reenforcing unit generally, said unit comprising a plurality of stirrups 1 which are spaced longitudinally of the unit, as shown in Fig. 1.. The stirrups 1 are each substantially U-shaped in form and are arranged with the open portion thereof at the top of the unit, said stirrups being armanner.

1929. serial no. 366,190.

ranged in spaced relation longitudinally'of the unit, as shown in Fig. 1. To maintain the spaced relationship of the stirrups l of a unit, I provide a pair of bars 2 which are extended longitudinally of the unit, said bars being arranged at, or immediately adjacent to, the upper ends of the upright legs of the stirrups, and said longitudinal spacing bars being rigidly secured to said upright legs, preferably by being welded thereto. The spacing bars 2 extend continuously from end to end of the unit structure, andin addition to serving as spacing elements act as anchoring means for anchoring the stirrups in the concrete, and as elements for supporting reenforcing bars arranged transversely of the unit at a point ad acent to the top surface'of the concrete.

Associated with certain of the stirrups I are supportingv elements 3 providing chairs for the unit. Each of the stirrups which has supporting elements associated therewith is provided with a pair of said supporting elements, which are located at opposite sides of the stirrup. The supporting elements 3 preferably comprise members which are semicircular in cross-section, the upper portions of which embrace the lower portions of the upright legs of the stirrups with" which they are associated, and said supporting. elements 3 are rigidly secured to said upright legs, preferably by being welded thereto.

In Fig. 2 I illustrate the manner in which 'my improved reenforcing unit is arranged within a form, wherein B designates the form, which is constructed in the usual The unit is arranged within the form B sothat the supporting elements'3 rest upon thebottom member of the form and with-the unit in its proper spaced relationship with respectto the side walls of the. form. Thereenforcing bars A, which constitute parts of the reenforcing system of the concrete structure, are arranged in place in the form, said bars being extended transversely of theunit A and being supported by the longitudinal spacing bars 2 .of the unit. Also, 'reenforcing bars 5 rest upon .the lower horizontal members of the U- concrete is poured into the form Bin the usual manner, and because of the Weight of the'funit itself and also because of the addi-, "tional eight of the bars 4: and 5, Shauna Will be prevented from shifting its position While the operation ofpouring the concrete is being performed. ,The vpresence of the 'longitudinalispacing bars '2 at the upper ends of the upright legs of the 'stirrupsl ofthe unit provides crosslike portions at the upper ends of each stir-- rup, and these cross-like portions serve as anchoring means which very securely anchor the'unit within the concrete of the structure either eliminate" the need of such hooks or bends, or, Wheniused 1n con unction With "hooks or bends, provide an anchorage of greater strength than has been provided by any means previously employed for the pur- 1 pose. Also, as already stated, the longitudi nal bars serve to space the stirrups and: to

support the'reinforcing bars 4: hencethese elements are causedto performa triple function in the unit structure, whereby said unit -structure is very greatly simplified.

I'claim: V 1. A structuralunit comprising a plurality of substantially U-shaped stirrups spaced longitudinallyjof the structural unit, and *barseXtendedlong-itudi-nally of the unit at points imm ediately adjacent to the upper i ends of-said'U-shaped stirrups said longitudinallyextended bars'being fixedly secured to said stirrups, and the side. members of said U-shaped'stirrupsbeing straight from end to endthereof whereby the unit is dependent on the longitudinally-extended bars for anchorage; 1

i 2. A structural unit comprising a plurality of substantially U-shaped stirrups spaced a longitudinally of the structural unit, and

viii) bar's extended clongitudinally'of the unit at points immediately adjacent to the upper r ends of said U-shaped stirrups, said longitudinally extended bars being fixedly secured to said stirrups; and being continuous from end to-end of the structural unit, and

points immediately adjacent to the upper ends of said U-shaped stirrups, said longitudinally extended bars being fixedly secured to vsaid stirrups, and being continuous from end to end of the structural unit, and the side members of. "said U shaped stirrups being straight from end to end thereof Whereby the unit is dependent on the longitudinally extended bars foranchoragc, said longitudinal bars being arranged to serve the functionsof maintaining-the spaced relationship of thestirrups and anchor the unit inthe concrete,

4. A structural unit comprising a pluralityof substantially U shaped stirrupsspaced longitudinally of the structural unit, and bars extended longitudinally'of the unit at points immediately adjacent to the upper ends of said 'U-shaped stirrups, said longibeing reenforced. Such anchorage hereto" fore has been provided'by means of semicircular hooks or similar bends at the upper ends' of the upright members of the U-shaped stirrup-s- The longitudinal spacing bars will tudinally extended bars being fixedly secured to said stirrups, and being continuous vfrom end to end of the structural unit, and

lationship of thestirrup, anchor the unit in the concrete, andsupport reinforcing bars located above the unit. 7

A structural unit comprising a plurality of substantiallyU-shaped stirrups spaced longitudinally. of the structural unit, bars extendedlongitudinally of the unit at points immediately adjacent to the upper ends of said U-shaped stirrups, said longitudinally extended bars being fixedly secured to said stirrups, and being continuous from end to end of the structural unit, and the side members of said U-shaped stirrups being straight rfromuend to end thereof whereby the unit is dependent on'the longitudinally extended bars foranchorage, said longitudinal bars being arranged to serve the functions of maintaining the spaced relationship of the stirrup, anchor the unitin the concrete, and supportreinforcing bars located above the unit, andelements for supporting the structural unit. v

In testimony'that I claim the foregoing I hereunto afiix my signature.

' EDWIN E. RIPPSTEIN.

the side members of said U-shaped stirrups being straight from end to end' thereof .Whereby the unit a is dependent on the longitudinally extended bars for anchorage.

3. A structural'junit comprising-a plural- 

